DE ABRIL DE 1933, UN SUPUESTO INTENTO DE FUGA EN EL CAMPO DE

The OECD mentions that, in the Randstad as a whole, increased specialization by universities and better coordination between them may increase knowledge clusters and the quality of universities (OECD, 2007a: 132). It warns for the duplication of research efforts in for example life sciences, in which field at least four universities in the Netherlands (of which two are in the Randstad) were trying to become the leading one (ibid: 131). In recent years HEIs in the Amsterdam metropolitan region have been working towards a more coherent vision of the regional education system. Whereas HEIs used to have individual views on education, there is now a sense of urgency that cooperation is necessary. For instance, UvA and VU work together in a number of cooperative initiatives such as the Life Sciences Center Amsterdam (Amsterdam BioMed Cluster), the Amsterdam University College, Duisenberg School of Finance, Tinbergen Institute, the Amsterdam Graduate School of Science and cooperation between medical centers AMC and VUmc (see § 4.3). Besides this, UvA and VU have strategic meetings about other issues that concern both universities, such as advice regarding international rankings, how to strengthen the position of Amsterdam as knowledge city and the recruitment and placement of international students and employees. Moreover, the relatively new Bachelor-Master system has also created more opportunities for cooperation between the research universities and UAS in the region. For example, The UvA has a joint governing body with HvA and VU has formed a coalition with Hogeschool INHolland (see § 4.3). In addition to cooperation with other educational institutes, the HEIs also frequently work together with the municipality of Amsterdam, companies and other public or non-profit organizations. VU stresses that on a central policy level HEIs and other regional stakeholders mainly discuss how cooperation can be made possible, while the actual cooperative initiatives are mostly taken on a decentral (faculty) level.

The HEIs to some extent use data analysis on the demand and supply of different types of higher education product within the region. VU communicates with INHolland and especially UvA. VU and UvA are also in touch with the municipality of Amsterdam (one ‘liaison officer’ has been appointed for both VU and UvA). In the cooperative initiative Study Amsterdam all higher education institutes in the region, together with the municipality of Amsterdam, consult each other with respect to recruitment of (international) master students. As part of Study Amsterdam estimates have been made regarding the quantitative supply of foreign Bachelor and Master programmes at UvA, VU, HvA, INHolland and the Amsterdam School for Arts. The results have been used to create a shared website www.studyamsterdam.nl that promotes these programmes to prospective foreign students. HvA also conducts labor market research as part of its macro effectiveness tests (macro-doelmatigheidstoets) when developing new educational programmes. This research often results in new kinds of educational product. The Platform Arbeidsmarkt en Onderwijs also provides useful labor market information to HEIs. Besides this HvA conducts structural research on the characteristics and interests of (prospective) students. On basis of this research HvA is able to gain insight into the desires and expectations of this target group. The INHolland school of economics Diemen/Amsterdam has performed together with the working field medium term labor market analysis of the demand for and supply of different types of education product and the number of graduates. This research has for instance pointed out that there is an excess demand for qualified teachers (a nation-wide issue). INHolland has responded to this by putting additional effort in recruiting students for teacher training programmes. However, there are no specific procedures in place to support regional collaboration between HEIs in conducting analysis to establish the demand and supply of different types of higher education product within the region.

The flexible transfer of students between different HEIs is enhanced by coalitions that are formed between UAS and research universities. Two of these coalitions, UvA-HvA and VU-INHolland are particularly important given the size of the student population of these HEIs. The Bachelor- Master system has eased the transition of UAS students to universities. In many cases students who have graduated as a Bachelor from a UAS can subscribe for a Master programme at a research university. For example, students who have a Bachelor in law from HvA can enter into a

Master in law programme at UvA. To smooth the transition between UAS and university, students can take a minor during their Bachelor to prepare them for the university Master. Universities on their turn often oblige UAS students to follow an ‘intermediary programme’ (schakelprogramma) for students in-between their Bachelor and Master. Furthermore, UAS in the region are increasingly putting effort in recruiting students from MBO schools. As was mentioned earlier HvA and INHolland also run intermediary programmes for MBO students.

The links between research universities and other HEIs exist on the executive, strategic and operational level. Table 4-5 summarizes these links.

Table 4-5: Executive, strategic and operational links between research universities and other HEIs

Executive Strategic Operational

• UvA and HvA have a common Governing Body;

• Governing Body of VU and INHolland meet biannually ;

• Chairmen of UvA and VU meet every six weeks and there is a periodical meeting between the Governing Body of both HEIs. Furthermore, UvA and VU share one ‘liaison officer’;

• HEIs meet regularly with the alderman of the municipality around the Amsterdam Topstad initiative.

• UvA-HvA and VU- INHolland have eased the transition from UAS to university and vice versa;

• HEIs have formulated a common strategy to recruit foreign students (Study Amsterdam); • Medical centers of UvA

and VU cooperate to attract talented students, scientists and investors; • HEIs cooperate with

other organizations in strategic bodies (Kenniskring, Amsterdamse Innovatiemotor (AIM), Amsterdam Topstad, Life Science Fonds Amsterdam).

There are many initiatives in which two or more HEIs participate: • Amsterdam University College (AUC); • Duisenberg School of Finance (DSF); • Tinbergen Institute • Amsterdam Graduate School of Science (AGSS); • Media Lab; • Amsterdam Life Sciences Center (ALSC);

• Academic Center for Dental Care Amsterdam (ACTA).

4.8 Conclusion